My first cruise...

Originally Posted by Parshooter

Uh, starboard is a side, right side I believe, not a level.

there are usually two decks that are open air...the one with the pool, and the one above...hence the starboard side of the decks.

Don't ask me why, but every ship I've been on lists the starboard sides of the decks as the smoking areas.

And Willygt -

You only feel the ship move in rough seas....technology has come a LONG way with these cruise ships - you can be in 8 - 12 ft swells and the ship barely rocks

Originally Posted by icantbejon

We're heading out of Ft. Lauderdale and stopping in Ocho Rios and Cayman Islands. The boat is the Navigator of the Seas (or something like that). Headed out on Royal Carribean.

Cool; I've heard great things about RCL (Royal Caribbean) and we went on Celebrity most recently (owned by RCL) and loved it. We also stopped in Ochos Rios and Grand Cayman as well as Cozumel and Key West. (I just now noticed that you're probably already crusin' as we speak!)

Ochos Rios was really nice. We chose to do the ZipLine but did want to see the Ochos Rios Falls so we just took a cab to see it from the outside and to the beach and secluded cove below it (where the falls meet the sea). The ZipLine was a lot of fun (it was our first time) and we enjoyed the secluded cove but I was wary of our driver (who really was a really nice old chap...you just have to be careful of who you leave to watch your clothes and cameras...).

Grand Cayman was great, we did the Catamaran trip to StingRay City which was one incredible experience, as a large hammerhead shark circled and left us alone.

Originally Posted by Willygt

In these cruises, do you really feel the movement enough to feel sea sick?

Originally Posted by tobii3

And Willygt -

You only feel the ship move in rough seas....technology has come a LONG way with these cruise ships - you can be in 8 - 12 ft swells and the ship barely rocks

Yep!

Originally Posted by tobii3

there are usually two decks that are open air...the one with the pool, and the one above...hence the starboard side of the decks.

Don't ask me why, but every ship I've been on lists the starboard sides of the decks as the smoking areas.

And Willygt -

You only feel the ship move in rough seas....technology has come a LONG way with these cruise ships - you can be in 8 - 12 ft swells and the ship barely rocks

They have stabilizers on each side of the ship,,,at least the bigger ships do and my wife and I crossed the Atlantic and could barely feel anything.

As far as dinners go,,pick any cruise line that has "any time" dining. I know Princess has it along with others,,,it's perfect as you plan the day as you want it.

I agree with the starboard side of the deck as being the smoking side,,,some ships have a more strict guideline as far as areas you are allowed.

[JohnnyKay5]

Bottom lines.. crusies rock!